Substantial variation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Substantial variation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difference or change in a particular context, such as data, results, or characteristics. Example: "The study revealed a substantial variation in the test scores among different demographic groups."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Substantial variation existed within each habitat type in degree of relative habitat use.

Forest Ecosystems

Substantial variation exists between specialties.

British Medical Journal

Substantial variation in discharge procedures is observed.

BMC Health Services Research

Substantial variation is observed regarding CVRM received by patients.

BMJ Open

Substantial variation in methylation densities also occurred between the species.

BMC Plant Biology

Substantial variation in abundance existed among VSTs (Additional file 1).

BMC Genomics

This picture masks substantial variation.

The Economist

There is substantial variation across countries.

Harvard University

Individual subjects' phase lag shows a substantial variation.

Nature

There is substantial variation by site.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

"Any substantial variation would affect other orchestras," said Reynold Levy, the president of Lincoln Center.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial variation", follow it with specific details about the nature and extent of the difference. For example, "There is substantial variation in student performance across different schools."

Common error

Avoid using "substantial variation" when the differences are minor or negligible. Reserve this phrase for cases where the variation is truly significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial variation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to describe a significant difference or range within a given context. As Ludwig suggests, this expression indicates that the observed differences are noteworthy and not merely trivial.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

Academia

22%

News & Media

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial variation" is a noun phrase used to emphasize significant differences within a context, and according to Ludwig, is grammatically correct for use. Predominantly found in scientific, academic, and news-related sources, it indicates a notable range or deviation. While alternatives like "significant difference" or "considerable diversity" exist, "substantial variation" carries a formal tone, making it suitable for professional and scholarly communication. When employing this phrase, ensure the observed differences are indeed impactful and warrant emphasis. Ludwig examples highlight the contexts in which this phrase is commonly and correctly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant difference

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the variation.

considerable diversity

Focuses on the variety present within a group or set.

marked fluctuation

Highlights the changing nature of the variation over time or across instances.

noticeable disparity

Stresses the inequality or imbalance between different elements.

pronounced difference

Indicates that the difference is very clear and easily observed.

appreciable change

Focuses on the magnitude or extent of the variation.

distinct deviation

Highlights a departure from a norm or expected pattern.

wide range

Indicates the extent of differences, and it's commonly used in statistical contexts.

significant spread

Describes the distribution and range of values around a central point.

major divergence

Highlights the act of moving in different directions.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial variation" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial variation" to highlight notable differences. For example, "The study revealed "substantial variation" in income levels across the region."

What are some alternatives to "substantial variation"?

Alternatives include "significant difference", "considerable diversity", or "marked fluctuation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "substantial variation" or "significant variation"?

Both "substantial variation" and "significant variation" are acceptable. "Substantial" may imply a greater degree of variation than "significant", but the choice often depends on stylistic preference.

In what contexts is "substantial variation" most appropriate?

"Substantial variation" is appropriate in formal and academic writing when you need to emphasize a notable difference or diversity within a dataset, population, or set of conditions. For example, it can be used when talking about "substantial variation" in study results or medical treatments.